Almost 6,000 women and girls in Ireland have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), a conference on violence against women heard on Tuesday.

Alwiye Xuseyn, manager of the migrant women’s support organisation Akidwa, said the figures were based on estimates using data from the 2016 Census.

Extrapolated from data gathered last year on age, religion and country of origin the estimates indicate in 2016 about 5,790 women and girls living here had endured the practice, compared with about 3,780 in 2013 – a 53 per cent increase.

Ms Xuseyn said it was clear migration was continuing from countries where FGM was practised and there was a need for support services for women and girls who have experienced FGM.

They were speaking at the conference, titled ‘Dare to Dialogue”, hosted by Akiudwa, on engaging men and faith leaders in strategies to combat male violence against women.